Panguitch

Panguitch is a small town with a population of 1600 and was first settled in March 1864. It's a Paiute word meaning "Big Fish," and refers to the rainbow trout, some of the largest in the state, in nearby lakes.

The historic downtown is only 1 block long.

The building that housed the Thunder Horses Mercantile was established in 1906 and has a metal facade. For more than 100 years, it housed the Southern Utah Equitable. The SUE closed in 1987 and the Thunder Horses Mercantile took over until 2000.

Right next door is the Panguitch Mercantile.

"Have Gun, Will Control"

And, "Welcome" with pistols.

Next door to the mercantile is an empty space that originally served as an open-air dance hall. The Schow & Cooper (S&C) Mercantile was built in 1935 and continued to operate as a mercantile until 1992, when it burned. The space now serves as an open-air park with a brief history of the S&C Mercantile.

The Garfield County Thrift Store was built in the 1920s and operated as the Panguitch Drug Company until 1992, when the thrift store took over.

Lee's Indian Store has an elaborate metal facade. It once housed a pool hall, barber & beauty shop, the US Post Office, state employment office, appliance store, dress shop, dry cleaner and until 2013, Lee's Indian Store. The upper floors are now apartments.

The Cowboy Smokehouse Cafe was one of the oldest red brick buildings in the business district. It was built in the 19th century to house the Garfield Exchange, a general merchandise store.

The Old Firehouse started in the 1970s as a welding shop then stored the fire trucks from 1984-1998. It is now Smokin' Hot Antiques.

At the end of the block is the Tandoori Taqueria. I was intrigued but we didn't have an opportunity to try it.

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